Via Christi to take on management of McPherson hospital

Via Christi Health will provide management services to Memorial Hospital in McPherson beginning Jan. 1, the two organizations announced today.

The agreement allows Via Christi Health to provide outreach services and help recruit additional medical staff, intended to retain both patients and revenue in McPherson, the Wichita-based health system said. Via Christi also will provide technology services required by the new health care law.

"As we plan for our future, it is becoming increasingly difficult for hospitals our size to continue as stand-alone operations," said Jim Chromik, Memorial Hospital president and CEO, in a news release. "Via Christi is an obvious choice to provide such services to us."

Via Christi said under the agreement Memorial Hospital's board of trustees will remain in place. Via Christi will oversee the operations of the hospital. and Chromik and Cindy Brown, Memorial's vice president of finance, will become Via Christi employees.

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